The Black Keys show swagger

Right in the middle of the first song, “Howlin’ for You,’’ when the guitar riffs caromed off the heavy crash of drums, the unthinkable came to mind: The Black Keys weren’t always this big. Not their songs, their popularity, or even their stage presence.

At the TD Garden last night, where more than 14,000 roaring fans sold out the house, it was clear singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney have shed their indie status; they’re newly crowned superstars.